Oct 6, 2008 - 2:48 PM
0 shoutsMOSCOW (Ticker) -- Newly crowned world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic headlines a strong field this week at the Kremlin Cup.
The 23-year-old Serbian overtook Serena Williams atop the rankings Monday and comes into this hardcourt event having won her last two tournaments, including a victory over Russia's Nadia Petrova in the Stuttgart final this past weekend.
Winning a third consecutive crown likely will be a challenge for Jankovic, as six other top-10 players are lurking in the the draw.
Among those players is defending champion and third seed Elena Dementieva, who kept the title on home soil for the fourth time in five years with her win over Williams in last's year's final.
Russia's Anastasia Myskina won consecutive titles here in 2003 and 2004 and countrywoman Anna Chakvetadze claimed the trophy two years later. Frenchwoman Mary Pierce interrupted the Russian reign with a win here in 2005.
Once again, there's a strong likelihood that the trophy will be hoisted by a local favorite.
In addition to Dementieva and the eighth-seeded Chakvetadze, Russia is represented by No. 2 Dinara Safina, fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and No. 7 Vera Zvonareva. Petrova, the runner-up to Chakvetadze two years ago, also is entered.
Safina, who has a first-round bye as one of the top four seeds, has been a wrecking ball since opening the year 11-10. The 22-year-old has won four titles, compiled a 42-6 record and reached seven finals since the start of May.
Kuznetsova has not won a title since August 2007, but remains a serious threat at any event. The 2004 U.S. Open champion reached the final in two of her last three events and has appeared in five title matches this season.
Zvonareva has ascended to ninth in the rankings on the strength of two titles and three runner-up performances this season.
Fourth-seeded Serb Ana Ivanovic and No. 6 Venus Williams of the United States round out the talented field.
Ivanovic won her first Grand Slam title at the French Open and subsequently became the world No. 1, but is just 5-5 since and has not reached a semifinal.
The two-time reigning Wimbledon champion, Venus Williams' best performance in four appearances here occurred in 1998 when she reached the semifinals.
In one of three first-round matches Monday, former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo rallied past fellow Frenchwoman Alize Cornet, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-4. Also securing victories were Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia and Russia's Vera Dushevina, who will face Jankovic next.
First prize is $196,900.
